George Henry Hardman was born on 11th November 1919 in Grenfell, NSW, Australia. He enlisted in the RAAF in 1942 and was posted to Western Junction in Tasmania for Elementary Flying Training School. He was then transferred to Deniliquin NSW for Intermediate Training School where he was trained to fly on Wirraways. He gained his wings on 30th June, 1943 and sailed to England via the Panama Canal. His initial posting was at Brighton. Here it was decided that he convert to 4 engine planes and after training he was posted to 576 Squadron at Elsham Wolds in September 1944.

As a pilot he and his crew took part in 37 bombing missions over Europe, with the majority of these being over Germany. Targets included Calais, Cologne, Essen, Stuttgart, Duisburg, Dresden, Dortmund, and Merseburg. On several occasions the plane returned with damage from enemy fire, including one trip where the plane had over 130 holes in it from flak. Another time the wings were so badly damaged by enemy fire that the plane was lucky to reach base, having flown very close to the water across the English Channel. On another occasion the plane was hit in the wing by a Spoof Rocket and was sent into a dive, from which they were lucky to emerge. On 6th December 1944 the crew were given credit for shooting down a German fighter plane over Merseburg.

Selecting a crew was rather an informal process, but as luck would have it they were a great bunch who did an excellent job, got on well together, and forged life-long friendships.

The crew consisted of:

Pilot - Flying Officer G. Hardman RAAF

Navigator - Pilot Officer L. Burnett RAAF

Bomb Aimer - Flying Officer B. Cooper RAAF

Flight Engineer - Sergeant E. Murphy RAF

Wireless Operator - Flight Sergeant G. Williams RAAF

Rear Gunner -Flight Sergeant N. Johnson RAAF

Mid-Upper Gunner - Pilot Officer L. O’Brien RAAF

On 29th March 1945 George Hardman was awarded the DFC. The recommendation for DFC reads in part:

"Flying Officer HARDMAN, an Australian Officer, has completed 37 operational sorties as Captain of a Lancaster Bomber operating in Bomber Command. He has attacked many heavily defended targets in Germany, including Duisburg, Stuttgart, Essen, Cologne and Dresden, displaying exceptional fighting qualities and resourcefulness in the face of heaviest opposition, and on four occasions his aircraft has been damaged by anti-aircraft fire.

Flying Officer HARDMAN has always shown great enthusiasm, which has been reflected in every member of his crew. This Officer’s tenacity, endurance and fine offensive spirit have led to a fine record of achievement, and I very strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.” - Wing Commander McAlister. 576 Squadron. Copy of the recommendation here.

In March 1945 George was repatriated to Australia in order to serve with Tiger Force in the Pacific. However on arrival in Australia he was given leave due to the scaling down of the war in the Pacific and he was discharged from the Air Force on 31st August 1945.

Crew reunion photo taken in 1986.
Left to right Len Burnett, George Hardman, George Williams, Neil Johnson.

George Hardman and crew:
Sitting on tail: N Johnson,
In door from left: L Burnett, E Murphy.
Front Left to right: L O'Brien, B Cooper, G Hardman and G Williams.

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